PODCAST
Holy Love
September 5th, 2025
Matthew 22:34-40.
When people are trying to refurbish their houses on those home remodel shows, inevitably their requests test the patience of the builders and the structural integrity of the house. No matter how simple or extravagant the remodel request, it all depends on what is holding the weight of the house. The way these requests usually are countered is with the question, “Which walls are load bearing?” Which walls can be knocked down and which are not negotiable?
The Pharisees, religious people who knew the Scriptures well, asked Jesus which command was the greatest. Which of the commandments are not negotiable, load-bearing walls of God’s house of faith? They did this to test Jesus’ integrity, to see if His righteousness held weight as well. Jesus essentially undercut their question by saying that all the “walls” of the law and the prophets are held up by the foundation of love!
Love is the greatest commandment. Love for God and love for people go hand in hand because God is love. All of Scripture is held up, Jesus says, by holy love.
If our interpretations of the Bible, theology, practices, and views about holy living are not fundamentally shaped by love for God and others, whatever we build up will crumble.
Author: Austin Troyer
